Thursday Jan 29, 2026
Thursday Jan 29, 2026
Thursday, 29 January 2026 05:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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Ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa
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The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday directed that notices be issued on several respondents, including ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in connection with a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition seeking scrutiny of compensation payments made for property damage arising from the violence of 9 May 2022.
The petition has been filed by Attorney-at-Law Dr. Ravindranath Dabare and names as respondents former Defence Secretary General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne, General (Retd.) Shavendra Silva, former Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, and other State officials.
When the matter was taken up, the Court was informed that notices had not yet been served on several respondents, including the former President. The Bench accordingly directed that notices be issued and fixed the case for further consideration on 8 May.
The petitioner has contended that compensation payments made in relation to the 9 May 2022 incidents must be subject to a comprehensive and transparent investigation to ensure that public funds were distributed fairly and without political influence or favouritism.
He has further argued that substantial sums of public money have been disbursed as compensation without adequate steps being taken to identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
In his application, the petitioner has referred to a statement made in Parliament on or about 5 February 2025 by Health Minister and then Government Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, which disclosed that compensation totalling Rs. 1.22 billion had been paid to 43 individuals, including certain politicians, for damage to property during the 9 May 2022 unrest.
According to the petition, Dr. Jayatissa had alleged that some former MPs had used their influence to obtain compensation amounts significantly exceeding standard limits.
